Ashleigh Bandimere Named WWPA co-Newcomer of the Year, Laura Espinosa and Marina Allen Also Named All-Conference

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) announced its annual end of the season awards today. Ashleigh Bandimere (pictured) was named the WWPA co-Newcomer of the Year while seniors Laura Espinosa (Second Team) and Marina Allen (Honorable Mention) drew praise on the all-conference teams.

It marks the second consecutive season the Broncos had one of the best young players in the league. Claire Eadington won Newcomer of the Year honors in 2011.

Bandimere, a true-freshman from Carlsbad, Calif. and Carlsbad High School, has been named The Santa Clara Athlete of the Week during a rookie season in which she has stepped up, not only to score goals, but to contribute in a number of different ways. Her play has helped the Broncos finish the regular season strong heading into the upcoming WWPA Championships.

"Ashleigh Bandimere has been having a great freshman year," said Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur. "She is third on the team in scoring with 31 goals, and she is also third on the team in earned ejections with 29. She has been a very valuable addition to our team, and I am very glad to see the conference has recognized her as Newcomer of the Year."

Senior classmates Espinosa and Allen were tabbed among the league's best. It marks the second straight year Espinosa has been named an All-WWPA honoree, while Allen makes the list for the first time, having enjoyed one of her most productive seasons.

"Laura Espinosa and Marina Allen have both played at a high level throughout the season," said Wilbur. "Laura has been a force at two meters all season long. She has broken her own record for earned ejections in a season with 84 while also scoring 27 goals, and we still have three games to go.

"Marina has been an offensive catalyst, using her speed, game sense, and shooting ability to lead our team with 44 goals and 36 assists. They both have had outstanding years, and I think it is great that they received all conference recognition."